This is a fascinating novel about private investigator Shannon and her client whose mother was murdered. All the evidence can be found in an old photo that shows a young girl with a can of Coke in a rainy parking lot at midnight. Lots of clues that lead nowhere, an arson, an old book of photographs...and we're off! Great convoluted story that had me shivering as each clue builds on the last piece of evidence leaving you breathless at the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I always really like Freeman's books and this one was no different. Easy reading with many twists and turns for a real thriller.

A new standalone from my favorite all-time author. What a great cover to complement the perfect title and intriguing plot. His books are timeless page turners for me. This book kept me guessing throughout and I was very happy with the ending. It’ll be interesting to see if this standalone continues into a sequel or blend with another one of this author’s series. Looking forward to find out who may narrate the audiobook to determine if I’ll do it again! Thank you to Netgalley, Edelweiss, and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

Shannon Wells isn’t really sure where her life is going. She’s a PI trying to solve cases on at a time. A woman has come to see her and she fails to help her, but this just starts a case like she’ll never believe. Trying to find out the meaning of the photograph. A really great book. Highly recommend!

4.5 stars
Freeman is always an instant read for me. This did not let me down. Full of his trademark suspense and great character development. I loved every minute of this book!

An excellent psychological thriller. Strong female lead, dealing with the aftermath of a rape and brutal assault. Now as a PI, she takes on a complicated case with many layers from the past, and possible past life as well as current. The author skillfully depicts her, spiritual questions, family relationships and cats. It was an absorbing read, easy to read and get involved with and doesn't rely on easy answers. Loved it.

Not only is this book gripping from the beginning, it keeps its grasp until end. This took me on a psychological journey and made me question what I believed in. You know it’s a good book when it mixes into your reality. Amazing character development - I felt myself bonding with the characters. All around great twisty story that had me changing my theory every with every chapter!

Shannon Wells is a Private Investigator who helps women with no where else to turn. A woman, Faith Selby, shows up one day asking Shannon to find out who she really is. Some time later, Kate, Faith's daughter comes to Shannon for information about her mother who was recently murdered. Shannon goes on a journey to find the truth. Her only clue is a photograph of a little girl outside a motel room in the rain. This book hooked me from the first page! A gripping, twisty and intense rollercoaster from start to finish. Just when you think you figure it out, nope another twist! Absolutely amazing!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Brian Freeman’s Photograph is a taut, emotionally charged cold case mystery that peels back the layers of identity, memory, and the long shadows cast by buried truths. With his signature psychological precision, Freeman introduces us to Shannon Wells, a private investigator who specializes in helping women with nowhere else to turn. When a woman named Faith Selby asks Shannon to uncover her true identity, the request seems strange—but not unprecedented. What follows, however, is anything but ordinary.

Faith is soon found dead, and the only clue left behind is a haunting photograph: a little girl standing in the rain outside a Midwestern motel. That image becomes the novel’s emotional and narrative anchor, pulling Shannon into a decades-old mystery that stretches from the sun-soaked beaches of Florida to the fog-draped corners of rural Michigan.

Freeman’s storytelling is both intimate and expansive. He doesn’t just chase plot twists—though there are plenty—but instead builds a slow-burning tension rooted in character and place. Shannon is a compelling protagonist: tough, intuitive, and quietly haunted by her own past. As she unravels Faith’s secrets, she’s forced to confront the ghosts she’s long kept at bay.

What makes Photograph stand out is its emotional resonance. This is a story about the fragile scaffolding of identity, the lies we tell to survive, and the cost of truth. Freeman’s prose is crisp yet evocative, and the pacing is expertly controlled, delivering revelations with the precision of a shutter click.

For fans of Lisa Jewell and Mary Kubica, Photograph offers a deeply satisfying blend of suspense and soul. It’s a story that lingers—like an old photo you can’t quite bring yourself to throw away.

I thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling murder mystery by Brian Freeman. Private investigator Shannon Wells is hired by a woman who wants to make sure her past is hidden. Soon after that woman is murdered and her daughter comes to Shannon asking questions. Shannon comes to find out that a photograph the murdered woman took long ago is the key to unraveling the mystery of the woman’s murder and another murder that happed year ago across the county. This book is smartly written and fast paced. I look forward to reading more of Brian Freeman’s books.!

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Photograph. I loved this novel. I have read other books by Freeman but my favorites are the standalones.
This is a solid who done it, mystery with a suspenseful plot.
A young woman, Shannon, has had a rough life and is a victim of a terrible assault. She lives in Florida and is a PI. She works out of a local bar and starts her day with a pina colada.
She helps women only and those who are in trouble. She’s a loner who has had loss and tragedy but manages to keep her head on straight.
Everything changes when a young woman comes to her to find out why her mother employed her. Although hesitant Shannon explains to the woman what her mother asked her to do for her. She is struck when she is told her client is now dead. Not just dead murdered.
So begins Shannons quest to find out what happened to the murdered woman and in doing so she has opened up an unsolved case.
This is truly a nail bitter and painfully sad.
It is an emotional and painful story that had me guessing till the end.
5 big stars!

Shannon Wells is a private investigator who helps women with nowhere else to go. Last year, a woman named Faith Selby came to Shannon with a strange request: Find out who I really am.
Holy crap. So good.

Everything began and ended with the photograph.

Shannon Wells is a private investigator with a traumatic past. When a woman , Faith Shelby, shows up with a strange request to dig into her past and see what she can find, Shannon is intrigued. She fails to find out any information and months later, Faiths daughter shows up asking for help.

I absolutely loved this book. Some of the internal dialogue was questionable in my opinion but I really appreciated the strong female lead and her determination to help a grieving daughter.

I have been waiting for a new standalone Brian Freeman for a minute and Photograph did not disappoint!

I was immediately pulled in from the first page. I loved that the book was centered around a strong, female MC - who was actually likeable! The book was well-written and extremely fast-paced. The twists kept coming, each one like a sucker punch because I thought I knew what was coming. I will say, I did figure out the killer pretty early, but it didn't take away from any enjoyment.

I can't recommend Brian Freeman enough, this was a great read that you should add to your TBR when it is released on October 7th!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Photograph
Brian Freeman
10/07/2025
Blackstone Publishing
Brian Freeman’s standalones never miss, and Photograph proves it yet again. One old snapshot—just a little girl in the rain—turns into a live wire of secrets, lies, and danger. Shannon Wells charges into the case with grit sharpened by her own bruised past, her trauma and tangled family history pushing her to dig deeper when anyone else would’ve walked away. She’s strong, she’s flawed, and she’s relentless—exactly the kind of protagonist you want leading you through a maze where every clue cuts a little deeper.
And oh, the way he weaves this web. The layers and connections between characters that span twenty-six years, looping and tangling in ways you’ll never predict. Every time you think you’ve got it pinned down, another revelation flips the board. It’s proof of just how much history, heartbreak, and even the keys to the future a single photograph can hold. Lean in, because this isn’t just a mystery—it’s a master class in tension and surprise, and it will not let you go.

Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shannon is a Florida based PI who has some issues after her mother's suicide and an attack a couple of years ago. She operates her business out of and lives at a beach front resort that her cardiac surgeon father owns in Daytona Beach. When Kate comes seeking Shannon's services, Shannon finds out that Kate is the daughter of Faith. Faith was living under an assumed identity and about a year ago had hired Shannon to see if Shannon could figure out who Faith really was, essentially checking if her cover was still good. Unfortunately it turns out Faith has been murdered and Kate is following up with people Faith met with to figure out why. This mystery takes Shannon to South Florida and then to West Michigan.

This is one of the best books I have read in awhile and I am not surprised that it came from Brian Freeman. I have been a loyal reader since he blew me away with Immoral like 20 years ago. This was just the kind of story I love, where it involves uncovering secrets from the past. New information was constantly being uncovered and the fast pace made me keep turning the pages. I was a little bit worried there would be too much coincidence with how things were playing out at the end, but every connection was explained. I loved it and can't wait for this author's next novel.

A great psychological thriller with a strong female lead- what more could I ask for? this was my first book by freeman, but won't be my last.

There’s something about a photograph, a single, silent frame of time, that can hold more weight than a thousand words. In Photograph, Brian Freeman doesn’t just invite you to examine an old image; he dares you to step inside it, feel the chill of the rain on your back, and ask the kind of questions that don’t have safe answers.

Shannon Wells isn’t your typical private investigator. She isn’t chasing insurance fraud or cheating spouses, she’s chasing ghosts. And when Faith Selby walks into her life with a request that sounds more like a riddle (“Find out who I really am”), Shannon steps into a labyrinth of fractured identities, buried trauma, and long-forgotten sins that refuse to stay buried.

This is more than a cold case mystery, it’s a peeling back of skin, memory, and time. One page, I was on the sunlit beaches of Florida; the next, I was plunged into the fog-soaked corners of Michigan, where secrets rot quietly beneath the surface. Freeman doesn’t just set scenes, he sharpens them like blades.

And let me just say: this story unravels. It doesn’t fall apart, it unwinds with precision. Layer by layer, each revelation made me stop, sit back, and whisper a soft “Oh no…” to no one in particular. I was fully immersed, nervous for Shannon, intrigued by Faith, and absolutely suspicious of everyone else. The atmosphere? Chilling. The twists? Needle-thread sharp.

Freeman proves once again that he knows how to build tension not just between characters, but within the reader. I didn’t devour this in one sitting. I savored it.

If you like your mysteries smart, emotionally complex, and laced with danger, this one’s a must. But be warned: the past never stays quiet. And photographs? They never lie.

Another fantastic page turning, heart pounding, psychological thriller by Brian Freeman! You will not be able to put this book down! Thanks for the ARC!

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brian Freeman delivers another brilliant and emotional thriller with The Photograph. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the mystery and completely invested in uncovering the truth. Freeman’s writing is sharp, the pacing is spot-on, and the characters feel authentic and layered. The mix of suspense, family secrets, and emotional depth made this impossible to put down. I finished it in just a couple of days and was left thinking about the story long after. Highly recommended for readers who love a gripping, heartfelt thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was an incredible book. Shannon Wells is a woman who is a private investigator, but only for women. She has her own past to deal with. She had a strange case. A woman hired her to find out who she used to be. She failed, she could not find anything about her before she showed up in Florida 25 years prior.

A year later she is approached by a woman wanting to know what her mother hired her for. It was the daughter of this woman she could not find information on. That woman has been murdered and her daughter wants some answers.

This sparks another investigation which takes some very unusual turns.

The storyline is so unique and I was drawn into it immediately. I could not stop reading. Amazing ending!!!! Brian Freeman has done it again. He has knocked out a very original and captivating novel.

I would like to thank Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Photograph is a great, twisty thriller. It captivated me from the start. I enjoy a good detective story and this one delivered. Bravo!

Shannon is a PI in Florida, living in a hotel with a tumultuous relationship with her father. A woman named Kate comes to Shannon asking her why her mother (Faith) used her services because now her mother is dead, murdered a few months ago. As Shannon and Kate start looking into Faith, they quickly discover that Faith requested Shannon help a few days after a photograph Faith took 2 decades ago appeared in a book. As Shannon starts digging, secrets start coming out. Old murders, lies, and cover-ups that someone wants to leave cold and buried.

If you enjoy thrillers with mysterious twists that keep you reading, this is a great book. It was gripping and suspenseful and kept me guessing. I really liked Shannon and the way she probed people to uncover the lies, even putting herself in danger. As I was starting this book, I really thought it had a supernatural element to it, which I'm not a big fan of. The twist there was great (and didn't come out of nowhere)! I really enjoyed this one!

The Photograph is my book of the year. The book I tell everyone to read.

It's a complex story linking crimes decades apart.

I was invested every minute of reading this book. The writing was fantastic and the characters were so well developed.

One of the twists was a bit of a stretch, but also a bit magical and I absolutely loved it. The emotions in this book were palpable, I often found myself choked up, experiencing the loss and struggles of the characters.

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Brian Freeman, one of my favorites, returns with an enthralling new protagonist, PI Shannon Wells—fingers crossed for a series! In this captivating crime thriller, PHOTOGRAPH, Wells embarks on a relentless quest for truth that transports her from the sun-soaked landscapes of Florida to the stark realities of Michigan.

As she delves deep into a chilling cold case, Shannon navigates a labyrinth of concealed identities, unsolved murders, and dark cover-ups, all intricately linked to a current triple homicide. Along the way, she finds herself grappling not only with external dangers but also confronting the haunting echoes of her own past trauma. The stakes are high, and the journey promises to be as tumultuous as it is riveting.

About...

Shannon Wells, Private Investigator
Nestled in the sun-drenched landscapes of coastal Daytona Beach, Florida, Shannon Wells is a seasoned private investigator with a profound mission: to help women navigate the troubled waters of their lives. Beneath her tough exterior lies a past marred by trauma—a haunting memory of a horrific assault and rape that scarred her soul. The man responsible for her suffering was never brought to justice; instead, he was released, only to go on to commit more heinous acts, including the rape and murder of another innocent victim. Shadowed by this experience, Shannon is plagued by relentless nightmares that she believes are symptoms of PTSD. Yet, her therapist suggests that these vivid dreams may hold a deeper, more unsettling significance.

The Investigation
One fateful afternoon, Shannon receives an unexpected visit from Kate Selby, a woman searching for answers about her mother, Faith Selby. A year prior, Faith had sought Shannon's expertise to uncover her true identity. But why? Was it merely a precautionary measure to ensure there were no hidden records in case someone came looking for her? What was she hiding from? It soon becomes clear that Faith’s mysterious past, which she had fought so hard to conceal, has come back to threaten her. A dark shadow looms, with someone determined to keep their secrets buried.

An Old Photo Connection
As their conversation unfolds, Kate reveals the tragic news that her mother has been brutally murdered. This devastating revelation sends a chill down Shannon's spine, and all she has to cling to is a cryptic photograph—an old image from 25 years ago. The haunting picture captures a small girl standing alone in the rain at a Midwestern motel, a grim backdrop for a chilling murder that once transpired. This photograph may hold the key to unlocking the truth behind Faith Selby's hidden past and the darkness that now surrounds her daughter.

Decades-Old Mystery:
Decades ago, a haunting photograph captured by Faith found its way into the pages of a glossy coffee table book. The image, forever frozen in time, features a young girl standing in front of a dimly lit vending machine at a desolate motel—a site that became infamous for a gruesome murder that transpired that very night.

Connections to Past and Present:
As the investigation into this long-cold case unfolds, it unveils a thread that binds the past to the chaotic present. What begins as a search for the truth takes a chilling turn with ties to a recent triple homicide involving a respected prosecutor and his family. This revelation uncovers a sinister present-day threat, suggesting that someone is desperate to keep dark secrets buried beneath layers of time.

Shannon's Personal Demons
As Shannon delves deeper into Faith's troubled past, she is compelled to confront her own haunting demons, unearthing a violent scar that has long overshadowed her existence. The journey becomes not just about solving a mystery but about wrestling with the shadows of her own history and the fears that have shaped her identity.

Get ready for a wild, thrill ride mystery filled with suspense and unexpected twists!

My thoughts...

PHOTOGRAPH is an intricately woven tapestry of suspense, skillfully guiding Shannon through a whirlwind of twists and revelations. Beginning in Florida, her journey takes a curious turn during a surreal visit to Cocoa Beach, where she encounters Maro, a mysterious psychic. This enigmatic figure seems to penetrate Shannon's carefully fortified defenses, unlocking a floodgate of visions that lead her to a quaint yet unsettling town in Minnesota—an unsuspecting backdrop for a long-buried crime.

As the narrative unfolds, the pieces of this intricate puzzle begin to snap into place, revealing unexpected twists and turns that expose dark secrets hidden beneath the surface. The stakes rise with each revelation, and the narrative’s tension escalates, propelling readers into a gripping exploration of danger and deceit.

Freeman’s masterful storytelling immerses readers from the very first page, introducing us to the compelling and flawed private investigator, Shannon Wells, hailing from a bar/office in Daytona Beach. Though initially intended as a standalone novel, I find myself yearning for it to spark a new series; Shannon’s talent for digging into unresolved investigations hints at a wealth of stories waiting to be told.

I particularly appreciated the nuanced relationship she shares with her father, a dedicated doctor in Jacksonville, and her collaboration with Kate. Their interactions add a rich layer to the story, expertly intertwining past and present in a way that feels both authentic and heartwarming.

Florida...
As someone who has called the East Coast of Florida home for the past 23 years (from north to south), I hold a deep affection for narratives set in this vibrant state. The author, who shares my area as well, captures the essence of the area beautifully, drawing readers into the familiar sights and sounds of Florida.

Shannon Wells evokes memories of Willow Rose's (a favorite Cocoa Beach author) riveting and flawed Detective Billie Ann Wilder series, navigating similar Florida thrilling terrains in locales I know so well. Wells is also reminiscent of Lisa Gardner's Frankie Elkin and Flora Dane (DD Warren series)—all favorites.

PHOTOGRAPH is a mesmerizing, emotionally charged, character-driven thriller that expertly weaves together the intricate threads of crime, mystery, and psychological complexity. It gracefully peels back the layers of memory and identity, revealing the shocking secrets that lie hidden beneath the surface. This captivating narrative is a superb must-read, guaranteed to keep you engrossed and turning pages deep into the night, as each twist and turn pulls you further into its enthralling depths.

If you haven't yet ventured into the world created by this author, consider this book a fantastic entry point, but don't forget to explore his backlist—you can thank me later!

Recs...

PHOTOGRAPH is a gripping tale crafted for devoted fans of the author and anyone who appreciates intricately woven crime thrillers that balance intense suspense with deeply emotional resonance. This novel will particularly appeal to enthusiasts of renowned authors such as Mary Kubica, Lisa Jewell, Lisa Gardner, Michael Robotham, Tami Hoag, and John Hart, inviting readers into a world where every twist and turn reveals not just a thrilling plot but also profound human experiences.

Thank you...
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for graciously providing me with a digital advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest opinions. I am eagerly anticipating the experience of listening to the audiobook, narrated by the incredibly talented January LaVoy; I have no doubt it will be nothing short of spectacular.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Oct 7, 2025
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Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for the advance ARC in return for an honest review.

Photograph follows Shannon Wells, a private investigator, who seeks to help those left behind by the Justice System, as she was after being raped 2-3 years prior. While enjoying an early morning Pina Colada she is approached by a prospective Client, Faith, with an irresistible case: to Find out who I am. After exhausting all her resources, she was unable to close this case when months later her daughter, Kate, seeks out her help, mainly to find out why her mother hired her. Shannon then learns that Faith was brutally murdered and they both needs answers.

While investigating Faith, and her murder, Shannon continues to experience nightmares/visions which have been haunting her since her assault. Before following up on a lead in Minnesota she stops off in Angola, and finds out there her "vision" was real. Was Shannon murdered in a previous life, and now reliving this brutal murder while trying to solve another? This is just one of the questions Shannon and Kate need to answer.

The clues all point to a roadside motel in Devil Creek that was depicted in a photograph taken over 26 years before, by Faith, before she ran away and changed her name. Enlisting the help of local law enforcement, she looks into the murder of Dawn Wells who was murdered the night the photograph was taken. As she gets closer to the truth, Shannon realizes that Dawn Wells Killer is still alive and was covering his tracks now that the photograph was published in a local paper.

As all of the pieces of this very intricate puzzle begin to come together, Shannon realizes maybe the visions she has been having were not haunting her, but rather warning her that maybe there was a connection between the murder in Angola, and the brutal murders in Devil's Creek. Unfortunately she may have confided in the wrong person, and Kate and Shannon barley escape Devil's Creek with their lives.

Photograph is a taut well written psychological thriller that explores reincarnation and weaves several life changing events for Shannon to help her solve the murders of Dawn Wells and Faith with a few other surprises along the way.

Highly recommended.

Photograph grabbed my attention from the first chapter and held it through to the end!
PI Shannon Wells is approached by a young woman who discovered that her mother, Faith Selby, hired Shannon the previous year, Faith's daughter (Kate) wants to know why and if it had anything to do with her mother's recent torture and murder. Faith had asked Shannon to try to find out who she really was, not because she didn't know but because she wanted to make sure that someone she ran from a quarter of a century ago couldn't find her now. Shannon realizes that the precipitating event was related to a photograph that Faith took 25 years ago, and Shannon's investigation leads her to a cold case in another state. Revealing clues that the original investigators missed. can Shannon solve the old case and identify Faith's killer without putting herself in peril? I loved how everything meshed together in this clever, unique and exciting story. I had lots of ideas about who the killer was, none of which turned out to be right! Shannon is a likeable and relatable main character with darkness in her own past that drives her desire to help other women who feel they have nowhere to turn.

Brian Freeman’s Photograph delivers a taut, emotionally charged mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final page. Set in Florida, the story follows Shannon Wells, a private investigator known for her dedication to helping women in need. A year ago, Shannon was hired by a woman seeking to uncover her own hidden past. Now, that woman’s daughter arrives with devastating news, her mother has been murdered, and she wants to know why her mother was working with a PI.

Armed with only a single photograph taken at a rural Michigan motel, Shannon reopens the case, determined to uncover the truth behind her former client’s identity. What begins as a simple investigation quickly spirals into a complex web of secrets, deception, and violence. As Shannon digs deeper, she’s forced to confront not only the dark truths surrounding the case but also unresolved issues from her own life.

Freeman’s trademark storytelling is on full display here, with expertly crafted twists and turns that consistently upend expectations. Just when you think you’ve solved the mystery, another revelation throws everything into question. Shannon Wells is a compelling protagonist. She is layered, flawed, and deeply engaging. Her journey through the emotional and psychological terrain of the case adds depth to the fast-paced narrative.

Photograph is a standout addition to Freeman’s body of work. Fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven mysteries will find much to admire in this gripping novel. Don’t miss this one when Photograph hits shelves on October 7th.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this incredible thriller!

Photograph by Brian Freeman is the kind of psychological thriller that grips you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Shannon, a private investigator, takes on the case of Faith, a woman who doesn’t remember who she is or what happened to her, and the result is a chilling, emotionally charged mystery that unravels piece by piece. Freeman does such a phenomenal job layering tension, secrets, and memory that I found myself questioning every character’s motives. The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere dark and haunting, and the emotional pull runs deep, especially as Shannon gets closer to the truth.

I absolutely loved how the author balanced the investigative side with the human element. Faith’s identity crisis feels raw and real, and Shannon’s determination made her a character I was fully invested in. The twists were genuinely unpredictable (I did not guess the right suspect!), and the ending left me with that perfect mix of shock and satisfaction. This book is proof that Brian Freeman knows exactly how to write a smart, twisty thriller with heart.

In Brian Freeman’s excellent psychological thriller, Photograph—which is due in bookstores Oct. 7th—a Daytona, Florida, private eye, Shannon Wells, is hired for a peculiar job. A worried, middle-aged accountant named Faith Selby, asks Shannon to “[j]ust find out who I am…. That’s all I need to know.” Shannon takes the request at face value and while she finds evidence Faith Selby started life as someone else, she is unable to identify who exactly that someone else was, which, it appears, is the conclusion Faith was hoping for.

Almost a year later Shannon finds another Selby—Faith’s daughter, Kate—sitting across from her “office” table at a seaside tiki bar inquiring why Shannon had been hired by Kate’s mother. Shannon balks at the request until Kate reveals Faith has been murdered. Kate believes the murder is related to a photograph Faith took of a young girl standing next to a vending machine, her back to the camera, in the parking lot of a roadside motel. The photograph was taken 26-years earlier and it appeared, without Faith’s consent, in a recent coffee table book called Millenium Memories. Shannon agrees to help Kate find Faith’s killer and, using the photograph as her only real clue, she follows a trail of violence and menace to smalltown Michigan where she learns the photograph may be related to an unsolved murder in 1999.

Photograph is an atmospheric and wickedly plotted thriller with a touch of the supernatural—Shannon is haunted by nightmares of a woman being murdered in what may be a flashback to her own murder in a past life. The action is lively: there are gunfights, tightly ratcheted tension, and surprise after twisty surprise. While the concept is big and (some might say) over-the-top, Freeman’s clever plotting, his attention to detail, and his likable heroine smooth Photograph into a nail-biting, exciting, and caffeinated literary treat. It should appeal to readers of psychological thrillers, suspense, and the more mainstream thrillers in equal doses.

This review will be posted on Oct. 6, 2025, at gravetapping.blogspot.com and darkcityunderground.blogspot.com

This was a really excellent story! I have had several Brian Freeman novels on my TBR list for a while now, and for some reason have not gotten to them yet. Believe me when I say, after this, they have been moved to the top of the queue. He has a fantastic writing style that is engaging and intriguing at the same time. His characters and pacing are spot on and blend detail with a crispness of language in a way that works really well with my reading style.

There were several twists and turns that I did not see coming, and that does not happen very often given the amount that I read - particularly the amount of thrillers that I see in any given year. It was a great story and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It had heart and action and suspense and mystery all blended into a coherent whole that had me furiously flipping pages from start to finish.

Shannon Wells is a private investigator with a traumatic past. If you need help, she's the one to go to. As long as your female. Men, you can go find someone else to help you. When a young woman approaches her asking about a case that Shannon had worked on for her mom, she is hesitant - client confidentiality and all, but when she finds out that the mother was brutally murdered. Having lost her own mom, she decides to tell the girl what little she knows because she knows that not knowing would drive her crazy too. Faith Shelby had come to Shannon asking her to look into her past and find out who she was - that's it, but Shannon couldn't find anything. Was Faith unsure of her past or was she just checking to make sure her "identity" would withhold scrutiny? As clues start to point to who Faith really was (clues Shannon didn't have earlier), they also start to point to other murders. Shannon really shouldn't be pursuing this investigation, but what if she can give the daughter closure... and what if the answer would also explain the nightmares she wakes from every single night... because Shannon Wells dreams of a murder - one that happened before she was even born and finding out why she has this dream may answer more than just this mystery.

Wow, I don’t usually pick up thrillers, but this one completely blew me away! 👏 If you want a twisty mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, add this to your TBR asap.

We follow PI Shannon Wells as she chases the truth from sunny Florida to Michigan, digging into a chilling cold case tied to a current triple homicide. There are hidden identities, dark cover-ups, and plenty of jaw-dropping moments. On top of that, Shannon has to face her own past trauma, which makes the story even more intense.

Fast-paced, gripping, and impossible to put down—this was such a ride! 🚨🔎

Thank you to the author, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance copy to provide an honest review.